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Originally Posted by utee94
There's a lot I like about the TW. I should probably consider extending my search to both TWs and O'landers in those years.
But for some reason I just REALLY love the aesthetics of the O'lander in this particular vintage, something about the window spacing I think. And I also like the extra room-- my intent is that someday my Airstream will serve double duty, both as a camper for me and my family, and as a guest house on our property.
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I am with you on the Overlander, especially the 1963. I own a 1963 Double, you have seen my thread on the restoration according to an earlier post. It's size is just about perfect for travel, and a small family will be very comfortable in it.
The layout of the twin is slightly different. The entire floor plan is moved forward a foot or so, to make room for tall closets at the foot ( or head) of each bed. Th distance from the galley window to the double front room windows is smaller, the galley is moved forward a foot or so. The curbside window in the bedroom is larger than mine. There is one foot less space in the front room due to the tall closets in the bedroom/bath area.
This is not bad, just different from mine.
A very nice feature of most 1963's are the very clean and accurate rivet lines. This is visible in your pictures of the Overlander with the two prices...the front and rear curved segments are connected by rivet lines that form the window skins. In essence, there are continuous rivet lines running all the way around the trailer. This makes the 63's look so clean from the outside. In my opinion, that's a bonus for a vintage unit in which you invest lots of money.
These Overlanders tend to be light on the tongue, which works against weight distribution and sway controls that rely on tongue weight. I am in the process of relocating my batteries to under the dinette, and adding a spare tire to the tongue. Not trying to add weight, just relocating. That should give me in 12-15% tongue weight, relative to the trailer weight. A thing to consider when you're building stuff... It tows great, but the much praised Reese Dual Cam HP doesn't work very welll on this trailer, for some reason.
I also own a 1958 Flying Cloud, and am picking up a 1963 Globetrotter that I just bought. I agree that 1963 is a great year for Airstream.
My take on the original "mahagony" interiors is a little harsh, though. The ones that I have seen that were original were merely routed plywood with hardware attached. I am not particularly fond of the finishing quality of the early " real wood" interiors. A carpentry hobbyist can do severely better than that, without any weight penalty.
A word of caution on the belly pan wrap...mine was truly wrapped, making a shell on restoration very difficult. What this means is that the belly pan material is brought up and over the c-channel, then wrapped back down into the c-channel and riveted with the shell overlapping the outside. Replacing the belly pan sections would be difficult, at least if one wants to do a clean job and not just slide the new metal under the skin.
On another note...having seen and worked on many Airstreams in various stages of repair ( or should we say disrepair) I do believe that the quality of the frame, ribs and shell is vastly improved in the 70's. The rib material is of a better quality, thicker and better formed. Frames are often rectangular tubing as opposed to c-shaped, and I personally do like the window and access hatch quality of the early 70's. The trailers don't look as pretty, but I must say that my 71 Tradewind was an excellent camper.
Neither the 58, nor the 63 could reach the quality and strength of my 1971.
Having said that, the feel and vibe of the earlier trailers is much different. I truly feel at home in the 63 Overlander, actually more relaxed and better rested than at home even while traveling long distances. Something about the rounder shape of the shell, and the fragility of the windows and doors that makes it all special, I guess. A well preserved or well restored example reminds me of a jewelry box, in some ways. Seing the front of it in the rear view mirrors makes me smile, every time.
In any event, I wish you much luck in whatever Airstream you end up with. I send you a huge wave of positive vibes...
If indeed you're going for the early 60's/late 50's era, be prepared to invest time and money, and be sure to have plenty of both. The promise of the sellers means nothing. ( in most cases) I am yet to see one that didn't need at least a partial floor replacement, appliance replacement, or just general maintenance on a grand scale. 20k spend very quickly, and then you're not done with it either. Vintage is fantastic, but fantastic vintage is very pricey. My 1963 Overlander gobbled up $ 20k in materials faster than I would have ever believed. And yes, it is nice now, but not really finished yet...
Uwe